Adding natural and organic elements to your home

With the renewed focus on green living and conserving the Earth’s precious resources, there is increasing interest in finding sustainable building and interior design products. Home lovers are looking for items that have been recycled and used in new ways, reclaimed from other building projects, or repurposed to fulfil new functions.

When remodelling your home this year, you may want to consider old wooden railway sleepers being installed as ceiling support beams to give a rustic appeal to a room. Reclaimed and locally sourced wood products from demolition yards and timber stockists, can easily be incorporated into modern interiors.

Whatever natural elements you decide to use, choosing materials that echo your personal style is the first step to bringing them into your home.

Bricks

Bricks are made by mixing mud, clay, and water and firing the compound at high temperatures to produce a sturdy building material with excellent insulation properties. In addition to the building of external walls, bricks provide a striking backdrop for interior design elements. The uniform pattern adds texture and colour to a room. Leave brickwork in its natural state as a focal point or paint over it to showcase its imperfections.

Wood

Wood is a versatile building material that can be finished to a high gloss or be left raw and unstained to expose its beautiful knots and grains. The warmth of wood creates a welcoming atmosphere, and it is available in a wide variety of types and finishes suitable for almost any application. Wood reclaimed from older buildings can be refinished, for use, as flooring and exposed ceiling beams, making it a highly sustainable product that will last for many years.

Wood furniture is durable and beautiful and can be finished in many different of ways to suit almost any taste and style. Artisan-crafted furniture is ideal for rustic interiors, and antique wood bedroom and living furniture will recall bygone eras. For modern homes, sleek wood furniture with clean lines will complement contemporary décor.

Plants

Cut flowers and plants in pots are an easy way to bring nature into your home. Tending to houseplants was previously considered a chore, but with more people spending more time at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, this has become a labour of love. Planting indoor bulbs, keeping low-maintenance plants such as succulents and cacti, or arranging some fresh-cut flowers can instantly cheer up a home.

Natural light

Natural daylight can make any room come alive. It makes colours pop in your furnishings and wall décor – and will make you feel healthy and inspired.

• Choose window treatments that make the most of natural light streaming in.
• Borrowed light from solar tubes extended from the roof into cupboards or dark bathrooms can have a beneficial effect.

Cost

Many homeowners believe natural materials are expensive, so they are inclined to reject the idea of using them in their home renovation projects. One solution could be to use it in smaller areas. An accent stone wall can make a strong statement, and a set of nesting tables in beautiful wood need not break the bank.

If natural materials are still beyond your budget, veneer products may answer.

Modern pre-engineered, laminated, and veneer stone applications look almost as good as the real items, without the price tag. They may not be suitable for every application, but a good interior design specialist should be able to help you find the right materials for your remodelling project.

Personalise

There is no right or wrong way to incorporate natural elements into your home. Some homeowners may love rugged natural rock walls in their kitchen, whereas others may prefer more sophisticated mahogany flooring in their living room.

The important thing always is to choose natural elements that match your style and connect you to your interiors.